In our #ThirstyThursday series, Tipsy And Tan, we ask mixologists from New York City’s white-hot restaurants and bars to create OC-exclusive drinks for our readers. Each week this summer, we’ll bring you a splashy concoction perfect for all of your beach bash boozin', as well as some expert advice. Drinking on the job? Don't mind if we do...
No, that's not a glass of agua to the left. It's actually what we're calling "lush water," a mix of gin, mezcal, maraschino liqueur, and vermouth blanc, cut only by orange peel oils and a dash of club soda.
"It's modernist and design-forward, and it's subversive," The Garret's Grant Wheeler says of the cocktail. "I’ve been watching a lot of Mad Men, and I really like how sexy those martinis are. So it got me thinking, What would be inconspicuous and not take away from your outfit?"
Enter the Glass House, a spirit-forward cocktail with strong botanical notes. It'll definitely teach you to not judge a book by its cover, especially coming from The Garret, the new West Village hideaway above a Five Guys. Enter the burger joint, head up a set of stairs, and you'll find yourself in a hidden travelers' den filled with worldy tchotkes: taxidermied rhino heads, hourglasses of all sizes, and plenty of booze.
From behind the bar...
Name: Grant Wheeler
If this drink had a soundtrack, what would it be? "shake Pendulum Shake" by the Savants
Why is this the ultimate summer cocktail? A lot of summer cocktails are giant behemoth cocktails and it’s such an event. It’s such a distraction. There’s no fruit juices or infusions, here. This is a little bit more subtle and flexible.
Best place to get day drunk: On a park bench with a bottle of muscadet in a solo cup. It’s a French coastal wine—very clean, high in mineral content, and just delicious.
Hangover cure: I like to call my mom, just to check in and know everything is okay. You can wake up and be really hungover, but you call your mom and she still loves you.
What are some red-light signs that someone’s been overserved? A surefire sign is if someone really wants to hang out later that night or "maybe tomorrow." If they’re talking about breakfast, or if somebody is asking me where we should go to breakfast that day.
OC Exclusive Recipe: The Glass House
OC Alcohol Scale*: 8
"It’s very, very boozy, but still drinkable."
1.5 oz Plymouth gin
.5 oz Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
.5 oz Vida mezcal
.5 oz Dolin Blanc Vermouth
1 orange peel
Dash of club soda
1. Stir all ingredients vigorously with ice.
2. Coat the inside of the glass and rim with orange peel oil.
3. Add fresh ice to the glass, pour cocktail over.
4. Top with club soda.
*OC's Alcohol Scale ranges from 1 ("like sippin' from a juice box") to 10 ("take me home—right now").
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Photos by Jessica Chou
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No, that's not a glass of agua to the left. It's actually what we're calling "lush water," a mix of gin, mezcal, maraschino liqueur, and vermouth blanc, cut only by orange peel oils and a dash of club soda.
"It's modernist and design-forward, and it's subversive," The Garret's Grant Wheeler says of the cocktail. "I’ve been watching a lot of Mad Men, and I really like how sexy those martinis are. So it got me thinking, What would be inconspicuous and not take away from your outfit?"
Enter the Glass House, a spirit-forward cocktail with strong botanical notes. It'll definitely teach you to not judge a book by its cover, especially coming from The Garret, the new West Village hideaway above a Five Guys. Enter the burger joint, head up a set of stairs, and you'll find yourself in a hidden travelers' den filled with worldy tchotkes: taxidermied rhino heads, hourglasses of all sizes, and plenty of booze.
From behind the bar...
Name: Grant Wheeler
If this drink had a soundtrack, what would it be? "shake Pendulum Shake" by the Savants
Why is this the ultimate summer cocktail? A lot of summer cocktails are giant behemoth cocktails and it’s such an event. It’s such a distraction. There’s no fruit juices or infusions, here. This is a little bit more subtle and flexible.
Best place to get day drunk: On a park bench with a bottle of muscadet in a solo cup. It’s a French coastal wine—very clean, high in mineral content, and just delicious.
Hangover cure: I like to call my mom, just to check in and know everything is okay. You can wake up and be really hungover, but you call your mom and she still loves you.
What are some red-light signs that someone’s been overserved? A surefire sign is if someone really wants to hang out later that night or "maybe tomorrow." If they’re talking about breakfast, or if somebody is asking me where we should go to breakfast that day.
OC Exclusive Recipe: The Glass House
OC Alcohol Scale*: 8
"It’s very, very boozy, but still drinkable."
1.5 oz Plymouth gin
.5 oz Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
.5 oz Vida mezcal
.5 oz Dolin Blanc Vermouth
1 orange peel
Dash of club soda
1. Stir all ingredients vigorously with ice.
2. Coat the inside of the glass and rim with orange peel oil.
3. Add fresh ice to the glass, pour cocktail over.
4. Top with club soda.
*OC's Alcohol Scale ranges from 1 ("like sippin' from a juice box") to 10 ("take me home—right now").
Photos by Jessica Chou
